The Mazda SKYACTIV® engine lineup is considered one of the most fuel-efficient in the industry — and it’s about to get even better.

Coming Soon.

Next year, the Japanese carmaker is introducing the newest generation of SKYACTIV® engine, called the Spark Controlled Compression Ignition SKYACTIV®-X. This engine is set to have well-to-wheel emissions lower than that of existing electric vehicles, according to the manufacturer’s estimate.

If this is the case, then, compared to the CO2 used when producing electricity for EVs, the Mazda SKYACTIV-X engine will produce less burning fossil fuel. Mazda reported that a mid-sized electric car uses 20 kWh of electricity per 100 km. To produce the electricity to power this vehicle, burning coal would produce 200g/km CO2 emissions, while burning petroleum would produce 156 g/km.

“With two-thirds of global electricity production currently relying on the use of fossil fuels, Mazda believes regulations placing the absolute emissions of an EV (electric vehicle) at zero to be disingenuous,” says Mazda.

Improvements.

With a 10% improvement in the current SKYACTIV-G engine, the combustion units could be considered equal to electric cars when it comes to emissions.

Along with the next-generation SKYACTIV-X engine, Mazda will also offer a range of electric vehicles and hybrids. An electric vehicle will arrive in showrooms like Sierra Mazda’s in 2019, while a plug-in hybrid will debut in 2025.